Devices and systems configured to fit around a tissue using the same

Abstract

Devices and systems to fit around a tissue or organ and methods of using the same. In at least one embodiment of an implantable device of the present disclosure, the implantable device comprises a first engaging component comprising a first rigid inner plate at least partially surrounded by a first flexible coating, a second engaging component comprising a second rigid inner plate at least partially surrounded by a coating selected from the group consisting of the first flexible coating and the second flexible coating, a first c-ring and a second c-ring coupled to the engaging components, and a cover flap coupled to either the first engaging component or the second engaging component and capable of either further coupling to the second engaging component when initially coupled to the first engaging component or further coupling to the first engaging component when initially coupled to the second engaging component.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An implantable device, comprising:
 a first engaging component comprising a first rigid inner plate at least partially surrounded by a first flexible coating; 
 a second engaging component comprising a second rigid inner plate at least partially surrounded by a coating selected from the group consisting of the first flexible coating and the second flexible coating; 
 a first c-ring and a second c-ring, the first c-ring coupled to the first engaging component at a first pivot point and coupled to the second engaging component at a second pivot point, and the second c-ring coupled to the first engaging component at a third pivot point and coupled to the second engaging component at a fourth pivot point; and 
 a cover flap, the cover flap coupled to either the first engaging component or the second engaging component, the cover flap capable of either further coupling to the second engaging component when initially coupled to the first engaging component or further coupling to the first engaging component when initially coupled to the second engaging component and configured to extend about an upper portion of a stomach when the implantable device is positioned about a stomach; 
 wherein each of the first engaging component and the second engaging component define a longitudinal axis; 
 wherein the device is further configured for placement around at least part of the stomach; and 
 wherein the first c-ring and the second c-ring are configured to swivel from a first position that is substantially coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the first engaging component and the longitudinal axis of the second engaging component during insertion into a patient to a second position that is substantially perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the first engaging component and the longitudinal axis of the second engaging component, said movement in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by an interior space between the first engaging component and the second engaging component. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein when the first c-ring and the second c-ring are not positioned within the interior space between the first engaging component and the second engaging component when in the second position when the device is open. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible coating extends beyond a perimeter of the first rigid plate and wherein the second flexible coating extends beyond a perimeter of the second rigid plate. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3 , wherein when the first flexible coating extends beyond a perimeter of the first rigid plate and when the second flexible coating extends beyond a perimeter of the second rigid plate, the first flexible coating and the second flexible coating prevent shearing and migration of the device when the first engaging component and the second engaging component contact the stomach. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first swivel stop positioned along at least one of the first engaging component and the second engaging component, the first swivel stop configured to limit swiveling of the first c-ring; and 
 a second swivel stop positioned along at least one of the first engaging component and the second engaging component, the second swivel stop configured to limit swiveling of the second c-ring. 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first c-ring and the second c-ring comprises at least one suture feature. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover flap comprises a first material surrounded at least substantially by a coating selected from the group consisting of the first flexible coating, the second flexible coating, and a third coating. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one tab aperture is defined within the cover flap, wherein one of the first engaging component and the second engaging component further comprises a tab, and wherein the tab is configured for insertion into the tab aperture. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , wherein one of the first engaging component and the second engaging component further comprises a loop coupled thereto, wherein at least a portion of the cover flap is configured to fit within the loop. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first engaging component and the second engaging component comprises a component tab configured to fit within a tab receiver of at the other of the first engaging component and the second engaging component. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first c-ring and the second c-ring comprises a first c-ring portion and a second c-ring portion. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first c-ring portion and the second c-ring portion are configured to couple to one another by way of a mechanism selected from the group consisting of a coupler, a post, a slider coupler, a joiner, a c-ring stub, a hinge, and an elongated coupler. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first c-ring and the second c-ring comprises a metal insert at least substantially surrounded by a coating selected from the group consisting of the first flexible coating, the second flexible coating, and a third coating. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first engaging component and the second engaging component are configured to engage a targeted tissue therebetween when the first c-ring and the second c-ring are in a configuration relatively perpendicular to the first engaging component and the second engaging component. 
     
     
       15. An implantable device, comprising:
 a first engaging component comprising a first rigid inner plate at least partially surrounded by a first flexible coating; 
 a second engaging component comprising a second rigid inner plate at least partially surrounded by a coating selected from the group consisting of the first flexible coating and the second flexible coating; 
 a first c-ring and a second c-ring, the first c-ring coupled to the first engaging component at a first pivot point and coupled to the second engaging component at a second pivot point, and the second c-ring coupled to the first engaging component at a third pivot point and coupled to the second engaging component at a fourth pivot point; and 
 a cover flap, the cover flap coupled to either the first engaging component or the second engaging component, the cover flap capable of either further coupling to the second engaging component when initially coupled to the first engaging component or further coupling to the first engaging component when initially coupled to the second engaging component and configured to extend about an upper portion of a stomach when the implantable device is positioned about a stomach; 
 wherein each of the first engaging component and the second engaging component define a longitudinal axis; 
 wherein the device is further configured for placement around at least part of the stomach; 
 wherein the first c-ring and the second c-ring are configured to swivel from a first position that is substantially coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the first engaging component and the longitudinal axis of the second engaging component during insertion into a patient to a second position that is substantially perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the first engaging component and the longitudinal axis of the second engaging component, said movement in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by an interior space between the first engaging component and the second engaging component; 
 wherein the first flexible coating extends beyond a perimeter of the first rigid plate and wherein the second flexible coating extends beyond a perimeter of the second rigid plate; and 
 wherein at least one tab aperture is defined within the cover flap, wherein one of the first engaging component and the second engaging component further comprises a tab, and wherein the tab is configured for insertion into the tab aperture. 
 
     
     
       16. A method for using an implantable device, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting an implantable device into a mammalian body, the implantable device comprising:
 a first engaging component comprising a first rigid inner plate at least partially surrounded by a first flexible coating; 
 a second engaging component comprising a second rigid inner plate at least partially surrounded by a coating selected from the group consisting of the first flexible coating and the second flexible coating; 
 a first c-ring and a second c-ring, the first c-ring coupled to the first engaging component at a first pivot point and coupled to the second engaging component at a second pivot point, and the second c-ring coupled to the first engaging component at a third pivot point and coupled to the second engaging component at a fourth pivot point; and 
 a cover flap, the cover flap coupled to either the first engaging component or the second engaging component, the cover flap capable of either further coupling to the second engaging component when initially coupled to the first engaging component or further coupling to the first engaging component when initially coupled to the second engaging component and configured to extend about an upper portion of a stomach when the implantable device is positioned about a stomach; 
 wherein each of the first engaging component and the second engaging component define a longitudinal axis; 
 wherein the device is further configured for placement around at least part of the stomach; and 
 
 wherein the first c-ring and the second c-ring are configured to swivel from a first position that is substantially coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the first engaging component and the longitudinal axis of the second engaging component during insertion into a patient to a second position that is substantially perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the first engaging component and the longitudinal axis of the second engaging component, said movement in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by an interior space between the first engaging component and the second engaging component; 
 advancing the implantable device to a location within the mammalian body adjacent to a targeted tissue; 
 swiveling the first c-ring and the second c-ring so that the first c-ring and the second c-ring are substantially perpendicular to the first engaging component and the second engaging component; and 
 positioning the first engaging component and the second engaging component over the targeted tissue such that at least a portion of the targeted tissue is positioned therebetween. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein when the targeted tissue expands in a direction between the first engaging component and the second engaging component, the targeted tissue exerts a force upon the first engaging component and the second engaging component. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of positioning is performed to position the first engaging component and the second engaging component over at least part of a stomach. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method is performed to reduce a potential amount of food intake by reducing or eliminating an amount of food that can enter a fundus of the stomach. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
 securing the cover flap over a fundus of the stomach so that the cover flap is secured to the first engaging component and the second engaging component.